Hickstead schedule moan

vam

vam

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I’ve just seen the Hickstead schedule for their September show, I’ve been waiting for this to come out as I have been planning my season round it. To be honest I'm a bit disappointed. I’ve looked at this show as a chance to jump in ring 2 and 3 in the meter classes and the fact it’s a bit more chilled, I thought it would be a great chance to jump at Hickstead.

When I looked there are only 2 qualifiers for the 1m final, 1 in ring 4 and the other in ring 5, the 2 1m opens were both in ring 4 and no 1m class on the Sunday. For me I'm not sure I will bother. It’s a lot of money after stable and membership to only jump there for 3 days. In previous years you got the opportunity to jump in ring 2 which would be fab as it’s the closest to jumping in the main ring that I and a lot of others will ever get. While I know that having the surface in ring 4 is a good thing I can’t help but feel a bit short changed compared to the other classes. I did notice that other than the Thursday they are not running any classes in ring 2 which is a huge shame for everyone.

I'm not sure what it is, I went last year to watch and thought how much I would like to do it and get a chance to jump there but I'm now thinking it’s not really great value nor does it look as good as it was that last couple of years. Its £130 before I’ve even added in entries for 3 days of jumping and only 1 chance to jump on Hickstead’s famous grass rings. Even if I don’t stable and drive (I'm about 45 mins away) it won’t work out much cheaper.
I'm not going to the June or July show but might next year and while I know they are mega busy, it seems like I might have more options.

I don’t know. I know they have to make money and make it work and it’s not supposed to be the same as the big international shows but I’ve been left feeling a bit ‘meh’ rather than keen.

A bit of a pointless moan really but my boy is finally up and running and all going well it was the main thing on my calendar for this year. Jumping at Hickstead is on my bucket list so to speak but maybe I’ll save it for next year and hope he doesn’t break! :p :D
 
September is going to be my one Hickstead this year too. Whilst Ring 2 Is lovely, we jumped in Ring 5 for one of the qualifiers last year and that is nice too. I'd say better than rings 3 or 4 although the new surfaced 4 should be good too. The other option is to push on a bit and jump the 1.10m classes although I have to admit that my nerve isn't back at that even yet.
 
I dont want to up to 1.10 as he has only just started 1m classes after injury and as much as he finds it all easy, i dont! :o :D
Its more it would be nice to actually jump on the grass rings, its part of what makes Hickstead although the new ring will be most welcome as its flat.
I'm planning on going to Wales and West in August as well and possibly Weston Lawns in July and its more than likely i will go but i just felt a bit flat reading the schedule.
Its like its not such an opportunity/special occasion which for a complete amateur who doesnt get out much like me, it is.
 
I know! entrys for one class a day + stable etc come to about £200! I wouldn't mind if it was for bigger classes but its quite a lot and I have to pay for transport as we dont have our own lorry so the whole trip would be nearer £500 :O I think I'll wait till next year when we have a better shot and can do 1.10's etc :)

Might be going to the Weston Lawns Amateur Jamboree in July though :D
 
Have they literally flattened and surfaced ring 4 then? I'm taking a friends cob-on-springs to do the RC class, and he won't care, but it did used to be somewhat roller coaster like before didn't it!
 
Yep... Completely levelled and surfaced. They're building a dyke in there too though I believe and maybe a few other features.
 
Looking at the pics on facebook i think so, going to be similar to the big warm up i think. I guess they had to, it was on such an angle the surface would end up at the bottom every time it rained! While no one really liked jumping on it that much especially compared to the other rings, it certainly made for intresting jumping to watch.
 
Not on facebook so can't see but is Ring 4 the furthest ring at the end that sloped down to the hedge - has that been flattened and an weather surface put down?
 
Yep thats the ring. From what i can see its been dug down and flattered but there doesnt seem to be any resent pics so i guess people will find out what its like in June.
 
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